Vitamin A in Cosmetics

Vitamin A is a nutritional supplement, also known as retinol. It is renowned as a youth-regenerating vitamin and is often used in health and beauty products because of its anti-ageing properties. It increases cell turnover, stimulates collagen production and, when taken internally, supports bodily functions and the immune system.

Learn about other beauty-enhancing vitamins on our vitamin E and vitamin C pages!

See our vitamin a guide to answer your questions like what is vitamin A and what are the different vitamin A derivatives.

Best Sellers

-6%
Medik8 Advanced Day Total Protect
Medik8 Advanced Day Total Protect
£16.50 £17.37
-49%
Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference Refining Moisture Cream
Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference Refining Moisture Cream
£18.99 £37.00
-22%
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3
£36.75 £46.55
-17%
Beauty Works 10-In-1 Miracle Spray
Beauty Works 10-In-1 Miracle Spray
£10.00 £11.99
-12%
Olaplex No. 4 & 5 Shampoo & Conditioner Set
Olaplex No. 4 & 5 Shampoo & Conditioner Set
£49.40 £56.00

Brands With Vitamin A Products

  • Dermalogica
  • Kiehl's
  • Alpha-H
  • PIXI
  • Murad
  • Antipodes
  • Medik8
  • ESPA

Refine By

Brand

Makeup

Skin Care

Fragrance

Hair Care

Body Care

Wellbeing

Sunscreen & Self Tan

Men's Grooming

Nails

Oral Care

Sort By

1,133 products found
-25%
Medik8 Retinol 3TR Serum
Medik8 Retinol 3TR Serum
£24.00 £32.00
-39%
Elizabeth Arden Retinol Ceramide Capsules Line Erasing Night Serum
Elizabeth Arden Retinol Ceramide Capsules Line Erasing Night Serum
£47.50 £77.00
-5%
Moroccanoil Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner Duo
Moroccanoil Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner Duo
£40.66 £42.80
-28%
ELEMIS Dynamic Resurfacing Day Cream SPF 30
ELEMIS Dynamic Resurfacing Day Cream SPF 30
£62.99 £87.00
Olaplex No.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner
Olaplex No.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner
£14.00
-25%
Medik8 Advanced Night Restore
Medik8 Advanced Night Restore
£44.25 £59.00
-13%
La Roche-Posay Retinol 0.3% + Vitamin B3 Serum
La Roche-Posay Retinol 0.3% + Vitamin B3 Serum
£39.50 £45.00
-25%
Medik8 Press & Glow Tonic
Medik8 Press & Glow Tonic
£17.25 £23.00
-16%
PIXI Vitamin C Tonic
PIXI Vitamin C Tonic
£16.50 £19.42
-16%
Bellamianta Tanning Liquid
Bellamianta Tanning Liquid
£15.00 £17.65
-14%
SOSU by SJ Dripping Gold Luxury Tanning Mousse
SOSU by SJ Dripping Gold Luxury Tanning Mousse
£19.07 £22.00
-12%
ELEMIS Soothing Apricot Toner
ELEMIS Soothing Apricot Toner
£22.99 £26.00
-25%
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6
£49.50 £66.00
-11%
Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment
Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment
£51.73 £57.48
-5%
Medik8 Intelligent Retinol 6 TR
Medik8 Intelligent Retinol 6 TR
£9.75 £10.26
Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo
Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo
£14.00
-5%
Hairburst Chewable Hair Vitamins
Hairburst Chewable Hair Vitamins
£13.30 £14.00
-5%
PCA SKIN Clearskin
PCA SKIN Clearskin
£39.90 £42.00
The Ordinary No Brainer Set
The Ordinary No Brainer Set
£25.62
-7%
Medik8 Intelligent Retinol 10TR Serum
Medik8 Intelligent Retinol 10TR Serum
£37.50 £40.00
-50%
The Gruff Stuff The Eye Balm
The Gruff Stuff The Eye Balm
£11.04 £22.08
-35%
ELEMIS Frangipani Monoi Body Cream
ELEMIS Frangipani Monoi Body Cream
£18.95 £29.00
-26%
ELEMIS Superfood Facial Wash
ELEMIS Superfood Facial Wash
£20.99 £28.00
-23%
Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Retinol Serum
Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Retinol Serum
£73.49 £95.00
-11%
Evy Daily UV Face Mousse SPF 30
Evy Daily UV Face Mousse SPF 30
£18.99 £21.25
-6%
Medik8 Advanced Night Eye Cream
Medik8 Advanced Night Eye Cream
£31.50 £33.16
-6%
Revive Collagen Enhanced Plus Hydrolysed Marine Collagen Drink
Revive Collagen Enhanced Plus Hydrolysed Marine Collagen Drink
£37.99 £39.99
-21%
Anatomicals Be Good With Your Hands In Bed Night Time Hand Cream
Anatomicals Be Good With Your Hands In Bed Night Time Hand Cream
£3.50 £4.38
-16%
PIXI Retinol Tonic
PIXI Retinol Tonic
£16.50 £19.42
-12%
Olaplex No. 8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask
Olaplex No. 8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask
£24.70 £28.00
-10%
Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster
Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster
£44.56 £49.51
-6%
PharmaClinix Scar Repairex Cream
PharmaClinix Scar Repairex Cream
£37.99 £39.99
-6%
Skinade Targeted Solutions Clear
Skinade Targeted Solutions Clear
£66.49 £69.99
-5%
Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream
Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream
£67.45 £71.00
-2%
Alpha-H Liquid Gold
Alpha-H Liquid Gold
£42.43 £42.99
The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil
The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil
£10.18
-32%
Elizabeth Arden Advanced Ceramide Capsules Daily Youth Restoring Eye Serum
Elizabeth Arden Advanced Ceramide Capsules Daily Youth Restoring Eye Serum
£39.50 £58.00
-25%
Medik8 Night Ritual Vitamin A
Medik8 Night Ritual Vitamin A
£37.50 £50.00
-23%
Paula's Choice Peptide Booster
Paula's Choice Peptide Booster
£39.78 £51.28
-7%
Medik8 Super C30 + Intense
Medik8 Super C30 + Intense
£44.25 £47.20
-6%
NeoStrata Comprehensive Retinol Eye Cream
NeoStrata Comprehensive Retinol Eye Cream
£42.74 £44.99
-5%
HydroPeptide Nimni Cream
HydroPeptide Nimni Cream
£90.25 £95.00
-5%
R+Co Trophy Shine + Texture Spray
R+Co Trophy Shine + Texture Spray
£14.90 £15.68
Zelens PHA+ Resurfacing Facial Pad
Zelens PHA+ Resurfacing Facial Pad
£58.67
Sunday Rain Mango & Coconut Heel Balm
Sunday Rain Mango & Coconut Heel Balm
£7.00
-6%
NeoStrata Targeted Clarifying Gel
NeoStrata Targeted Clarifying Gel
£18.04 £18.99
-50%
Lusso Tan Flawless Tanning Kit
Lusso Tan Flawless Tanning Kit
£12.81 £25.62
-16%
Institut Esthederm Intensive Retinol Cream
Institut Esthederm Intensive Retinol Cream
£53.20 £63.00
-16%
PIXI Vitamin C Serum
PIXI Vitamin C Serum
£22.52 £26.50
-11%
Antipodes Divine Avocado & Rosehip Face Oil
Antipodes Divine Avocado & Rosehip Face Oil
£20.66 £23.00
-11%
Antipodes Glow Ritual Vitamin C Serum With Plant Hyaluronic Acid
Antipodes Glow Ritual Vitamin C Serum With Plant Hyaluronic Acid
£31.81 £35.35
-4%
Alpha-H Essential Hydration Cream
Alpha-H Essential Hydration Cream
£42.43 £44.00
The Ordinary Retinol 0.2% In Squalane
The Ordinary Retinol 0.2% In Squalane
£7.30
-30%
Alpha-H Clear Skin Daily Face & Body Wash With 2% Salicylic Acid & Tea Tree
Alpha-H Clear Skin Daily Face & Body Wash With 2% Salicylic Acid & Tea Tree
£29.42 £42.00
-11%
Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Hydrating Treatment Mask
Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Hydrating Treatment Mask
£23.05 £25.62
Pestle & Mortar Glow Drops
Pestle & Mortar Glow Drops
£18.58
-63%
milk_shake Integrity Nourishing Conditioner
milk_shake Integrity Nourishing Conditioner
£6.42 £17.00
-25%
Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides Serum
Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides Serum
£36.75 £49.00
-25%
PIXI Vitamin-C Remedy Mask
PIXI Vitamin-C Remedy Mask
£15.27 £20.35
-25%
Medik8 Sleep Glycolic
Medik8 Sleep Glycolic
£29.25 £39.00
-22%
Label.M Gentle Cleansing Shampoo
Label.M Gentle Cleansing Shampoo
£8.49 £10.80
-20%
Color Wow One Minute Transformation Styling Cream
Color Wow One Minute Transformation Styling Cream
£17.29 £21.50
-20%
Hairburst Shampoo For Longer Stronger Hair
Hairburst Shampoo For Longer Stronger Hair
£12.82 £16.00
-16%
PIXI Glow Mist
PIXI Glow Mist
£7.48 £8.81
-10%
Paula's Choice Resist Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum
Paula's Choice Resist Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum
£33.41 £37.12
-6%
Hairburst Conditioner For Longer Stronger Hair
Hairburst Conditioner For Longer Stronger Hair
£12.82 £13.50
-6%
NeoStrata Comprehensive Retinol 0.3% Night Serum
NeoStrata Comprehensive Retinol 0.3% Night Serum
£66.49 £69.99
-5%
PCA SKIN Intensive Clarity Treatment 0.5 Percent Pure Retinol Night
PCA SKIN Intensive Clarity Treatment 0.5 Percent Pure Retinol Night
£95.95 £101.00
-5%
Hairburst Long & Healthy Hair Mask
Hairburst Long & Healthy Hair Mask
£29.45 £31.00
-5%
Pestle & Mortar Erase Balm Cleanser
Pestle & Mortar Erase Balm Cleanser
£38.00 £40.00
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% In Squalane
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% In Squalane
£15.00
The Ordinary Multi Peptide + HA Serum
The Ordinary Multi Peptide + HA Serum
£16.55
Dr Hauschka Firming Mask
Dr Hauschka Firming Mask
£4.80
-58%
Jane Iredale Triple Luxe Long Lasting Naturally Moist Lipstick
Jane Iredale Triple Luxe Long Lasting Naturally Moist Lipstick
£15.84 £37.00
-42%
Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick
Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick
£12.36 £21.00
-33%
Philip Kingsley Moisture Extreme Enriching Conditioner
Philip Kingsley Moisture Extreme Enriching Conditioner
£14.50 £21.50
-27%
Dr Hauschka Rose Day Cream
Dr Hauschka Rose Day Cream
£23.60 £32.00
-25%
Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Water
Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Water
£16.56 £21.95
-23%
Paul Mitchell Forever Blonde Conditioner
Paul Mitchell Forever Blonde Conditioner
£14.37 £18.50
-23%
REN Bio Retinoid Youth Concentrate Oil
REN Bio Retinoid Youth Concentrate Oil
£40.24 £52.00
-21%
Anatomicals Puffy The Eyebag Slayer
Anatomicals Puffy The Eyebag Slayer
£14.51 £18.14
-20%
ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Renewal Serum
ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Renewal Serum
£56.50 £70.00
-20%
Moroccanoil Hydrating Shampoo
Moroccanoil Hydrating Shampoo
£16.95 £20.99
-20%
Zelens Z-22 Ultimate Face Oil
Zelens Z-22 Ultimate Face Oil
£56.37 £70.00
-20%
Bellamianta Tanning Lotion
Bellamianta Tanning Lotion
£16.64 £20.80
You've viewed 90 of 1,133 productsShow Me More
Vitamin A

Frequently Asked Questions about Vitamin A products

What is vitamin A?

Vitamin A is a powerfully antioxidising fat-soluble vitamin. It comprises a group of compounds including retinol, retinal and retinoic acid.

What are the different vitamin A derivatives?

The derivatives of vitamin A are known as carotenoids (found in plant-based products) and retinoids (found in animal-based products). They both provide the body with a variety of health benefits from boosting tissue repair to promoting skin cell regeneration.

To be even more precise…

Retinoids –These are known as prescriptive retinol products, and are often identified as the brands Retin-A and Differin. When applied to the skin, retinoids combat hyperpigmentation, scarring and fine lines.

Retinol –This is the alcohol form of vitamin A, which is a great alternative to retinoic acid for long-term use. It is used by many cosmeceutical skin care companies as it easily adapts to the skin after a few uses.

Retinyl Palmitate –This is the ester of vitamin A that combines retinol with palmitic acid, which then converts to retinoic acid. Its strength is significantly lower than other derivatives because the conversion takes a while, which means it loses potency. It is a good alternative to use in conjunction with other retinol-based products to build efficacy and enhance results.

Retinaldehyde –The most potent form of vitamin A, retinaldehyde requires minimal conversion and causes little to no skin irritation. Retinaldehyde is an expensive ingredient that is often used in high-end skin care formulations, so in most cases it unfortunately comes with a hefty price tag.

What are the skin and health care benefits of vitamin A beauty products?

Vitamin A is a key nutrient that keeps your skin healthy while supplying an array of anti-ageing benefits, including reducing the visibility of dark spots, hyperpigmentation and fine lines. It's widely used in skin care products for its nourishing and protective properties, which stimulate skin cell regrowth and boost tissue repair to help to combat breakouts.

If ingested – within foods or dietary supplements vitamin A also helps to maintain good, healthy vision and support your body's natural defences against illness and infection.

Who should use vitamin A beauty products?

It is recommended that you incorporate vitamin A into your skin care regimen as soon as possible to combat UV damage and signs of ageing, and maintain optimal skin health. The vitamin is especially beneficial for people who suffer with acne or blemishes as its antioxidising properties promote skin healing and tissue regeneration.

Vitamin A can also be taken as a dietary supplement to treat and prevent vitamin A deficiency.

Who shouldn’t use vitamin A beauty products?

Vitamin A-based products are unsuitable for children and pregnant women, as they often contain a high concentration of retinoids that can be particularly harmful.

People with a vitamin A allergy should avoid retinol beauty products as they contain high levels of vitamin A that can trigger allergic reactions.

How often should I be using vitamin A beauty products?

To start with, incorporate a mild vitamin A formula (like retinaldehyde or the mildest retinyl palmitate) into your routine. Use it once a week and then slowly increase your usage, allowing your skin to adapt for best results.

It's important to regularly observe the way that your skin reacts to specific formulas and product combinations, as every skin type will react differently, depending on the strength of the retinol in the product. Sensitive skin types should take caution as retinoids can easily irritate and redden the skin.

Whatever your skin type, you should only use a very small amount of topical vitamin A; applying too much can result in seriously dry and irritated skin. When in doubt, always refer to the manufacturer's instructions.

Are there any drawbacks/side effects of vitamin A beauty products?

Vitamin A increases sun sensitivity as it encourages skin cell turnover, leaving you with skin that is delicate and easily sensitised. It is often recommended that retinol skin care products are used at night to avoid the risk of sun damage. For the same reasons, you shouldn't use retinoid prior to waxing or laser procedures – your skin will simply be too vulnerable.

In general, retinoids can be very irritating and drying to the skin if used too often or incorrectly – especially when you first start incorporating them into your skin care routine.

Can I use a beauty product containing vitamin A/retinol in combination with AHAs or BHAs?

Yes, it is fine to use a vitamin A/retinol product in conjunction with AHAs or BHAs, which exfoliate dead skin cells. For the best anti-ageing results, we recommend using an exfoliator and a retinol product (e.g. a night cream or serum) to maximise the results. You must make sure to keep an eye on the way your skin reacts product combination.

How do you use prescription vitamin A products?

A prescription vitamin A product (or retinoid) should be used in your evening skin care routine as follows:

  1. Use your cleanser, toner and exfoliator with AHA or BHA as normal
  2. Apply your retinol prescription product
  3. Use any brightening products after applying the retinoid
  4. Apply a serum or night cream for maximum effect
Luke Chapman

Written by Luke Chapman, Beauty Editor

Sign in or register

Sign in or register to save your wishlist permanently and view them on other devices.

  • View your wishlist across all your devices
  • Manage your price drop and stock alerts
  • Get access to exclusive promos
Select Site
Cosmetify

Sign up for an extra 5% off!Treat yourself with an extra discount on your first purchase.

Get Vitamin A Sale Alerts

When Vitamin A products go on sale, be the first to know.